Cervical Screening Test

(Smear Test)

A cervical screening test is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix (entrance to the womb from the vagina).

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it is a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix. Most women’s test results show that everything is normal, but for about 1 in 20 women the test shows some abnormal changes in the cells of cervix.

Most of these changes won’t lead to cervical cancer and the cells may go back to normal on their own. However, in some cases, the abnormal cells need to be removed so they can’t become cancerous.

Arranging your Treatment

Before going ahead with this treatment, you will need to have an initial consultation with a specialist Consultant to go through your medical history and diagnosis. At this appointment, your consultant will confirm the exact treatment you require.
If you would like to have an initial consultation, you can call us and we can help you find the consultant best for you.

Alternatively, if you have already been diagnosed as needing a particular operation or treatment, our Reservations team can give you a guide price for this to be carried out at KIMS Hospital and book an appointment for you to meet a consultant.
Call our Reservations team on 01622 237727 or email reservations@kims.org.uk.

Paying for your Treatment

You can be treated at KIMS by using your private medical insurance or by paying for yourself.

If you have private medical insurance, you will need to contact your insurer to ensure you are covered for the initial consultation prior to making an appointment and obtain an authorisation number. The insurance company will then need to be advised if you require further treatment. The insurance company usually settles bills on your behalf.
If you are paying for your own treatment, you may need to pay for an initial consultation.

This will be confirmed at the time of booking but is typically £150-£250. You will also need to pay for any associated diagnostic tests your consultant recommends (for example x-rays and blood tests).

Following this consultation, if you don’t need any further treatment or if you decide paying for yourself isn’t the right option, there is no commitment to proceed further.

If you require the operation or procedure to be carried out, you will receive a quote for your treatment. In most case this will be the fixed price package quoted on this website. If this quote is different for any reason, we will provide an explanation (see what’s included below). This quote is also subject to pre-assessment checks prior to your admission to hospital.

Payment is required 7 days prior to admission.

What’s Included

The fixed price package above includes all the costs associated with this treatment at KIMS Hospital.

You will be given a quote prior to admission to confirm this cost. The amount you are quoted may differ from the published price for a number of reasons:
• The Consultant you choose
• Your medical history and whether you have any associated medical conditions which may impact this treatment
• The type of anaesthetic your Consultant advises is best for you
• The type of implant or drug you choose or your Consultant advises is best for you

In some cases, if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, it may not be possible to provide you with a fixed price for your Main Treatment. If this is the case, the hospital will discuss the available options with you. Your quote is also subject to pre-assessment checks prior to your admission to hospital.

The procedure should normally be carried out during the middle of your menstrual cycle (usually 14 days from the start of your last period), as this can ensure a better sample of cells is taken.

If you use a spermicide, a barrier method of contraception or a lubricant jelly you should not use these for 24 hours before the test as this could interfere with the results of the test.

The test will usually take around five minutes to carry out. The consultant will gently put an instrument, called a speculum into your vagina. This holds the walls of the vagina open so that the cervix can be seen. A small soft brush will be used to gently collect some cells from the surface of your cervix.

This procedure can be a bit uncomfortable , but for most women it is not painful. If you find the test painful, you should tell the consultant because they may be able to reduce the discomfort. It is important to try to relax through this procedure as being tense can make the test more difficult to carry out.